used breast pump?

kaceandpoint · April 2012

so my cousin has offered me her breast pump for when my baby is born. So i wouldnt have to waste a baby shower gift on it (my family is always looking for a way to not spend full price on things haha) my question is, is using a used breast pump, even one from a blood relative weird or not advised? I kinda thought it was weird, but i don't know.

mwitter80 · April 2012

I wouldn't buy a used one off of craigslist, but as long as you know where it's coming from, I don't think it's weird. My sister is giving me hers too since she no longer needs it.

lnyeager · April 2012

I borrowed one from a family member and I plan on borrowing it again with this pregnancy. I will only be breastfeeding/pumping for about 2 months so it is silly to spend so much money on something that won't get used very much. You can buy new tubes and other parts so everything is steralized. I know that some hospitals offer ones that you can basically rent for a certain amount of time. Those are obviously used by multiple people. (Obviously they are sanitized, steralized, parts changed out, etc.) I was more comfortable borrowing one from a family member than from the hospital. But I also think it's all personal preference.

Jessca77 · April 2012

I know it's not advised, but if it is from your cousin you might be able to get away with it. Find out if it's an open or closed system, I think the closed systems are better if you're getting a used one because the milk never gets into the tubing. Otherwise you can just replace the tubing and avoid any leftover bacteria or mold that may have gotten in.

MWM0903 · April 2012

I think a used pump from a family memeber or someone you know on a personal level is just fine. If you do decide to use it, just replace all the tubing.

cchill01 · April 2012

Personally, I'd rather get hand-me-downs of clothes, toys, PNPs, and other baby items. I think I'd rather start fresh with my own pump. If you replace all the tubing, bottles, shields, etc you might end up spending almost as much as the pump costs new - with all that stuff.

Libby375 · April 2012

If you know who it's from, I think it's totally different. Agreed, you wouldn't just accept anyone's. I'm getting a bunch of intimate type stuff from my sister, but it's my sister; sisters share weird things that you wouldn't dream about accepting from others. I would say cousins are the same. I'm getting a ton of cloth diapers from mine, and accepting them gladly!

pisces4410 · April 2012

I used one at first from my husband's cousin's wife. I just made sure to sterilize every part I was able to do so. Hers was just a small pump made for occassional pumping and I was pumping more than I thought it could take, so I ended up investing in a heavy duty one of my own.

In my case borrowing one was nice, because I wasnt sure if I would like the brand or if it would work for me (My breasts are much bigger than hers). Also, you dont really know if breastfeeding or pumping will work at all for you, so you might as well have a test machine!

I plan on offering mine to my sister when she eventually has kids.

Britnseth2006 · April 2012

Thank you ladies!! I am really close with my cousin so i dont have any fears about that part, i was more concerned with what actually has to be replaced, and what i can try sterilize myself. I tried BFing my DS, didnt work out to well, so when my cousin offered hers to me i happily acceted. i just didnt want to go spend 250+ for a pump and then realize its just no going to work out.

nikkks84 · April 2012

mwitter80:
I wouldn't buy a used one off of craigslist, but as long as you know where it's coming from, I don't think it's weird. My sister is giving me hers too since she no longer needs it.

this totally. i wont mind having a used pump from a sister or a close cousin. ...

craiglist and unknown user used pumps are a absolute no no .

Gismo123 · April 2012

I guess I'm the Minority in the group because I wouldn't use a used pump at all unless it's a closed system. With an open system even if you replace the tubing there are parts of the pump that the milk can get into and contaminate that you can't replace. I bought an Ameda Purely yours....the full kit for $150 with a Military discount..It sells for around $250 and this is a closed system.

AndromedaEclipse · April 2012

Gismo123:
I guess I'm the Minority in the group because I wouldn't use a used pump at all unless it's a closed system. With an open system even if you replace the tubing there are parts of the pump that the milk can get into and contaminate that you can't replace. I bought an Ameda Purely yours....the full kit for $150 with a Military discount..It sells for around $250 and this is a closed system.

I would only borrow a closed system as well. It's not a matter of being close to the person you borrow it from, it's a matter of milk aerosolizing and getting in the motor. Then there are viruses like the cytomegalovirus that affect babies but don't show up much in adults.

acbfreire · April 2012

AndromedaEclipse:
Gismo123:
I guess I'm the Minority in the group because I wouldn't use a used pump at all unless it's a closed system. With an open system even if you replace the tubing there are parts of the pump that the milk can get into and contaminate that you can't replace. I bought an Ameda Purely yours....the full kit for $150 with a Military discount..It sells for around $250 and this is a closed system.
I would only borrow a closed system as well. It's not a matter of being close to the person you borrow it from, it's a matter of milk aerosolizing and getting in the motor. Then there are viruses like the cytomegalovirus that affect babies but don't show up much in adults.

This.

colonialbride · April 2012

I let me best friend use mine. It saved her $250 and I wasn't using it at the time. I just made sure it was sanitized!

laurendom · April 2012

AndromedaEclipse:
Gismo123:
I guess I'm the Minority in the group because I wouldn't use a used pump at all unless it's a closed system. With an open system even if you replace the tubing there are parts of the pump that the milk can get into and contaminate that you can't replace. I bought an Ameda Purely yours....the full kit for $150 with a Military discount..It sells for around $250 and this is a closed system.
I would only borrow a closed system as well. It's not a matter of being close to the person you borrow it from, it's a matter of milk aerosolizing and getting in the motor. Then there are viruses like the cytomegalovirus that affect babies but don't show up much in adults.

This. There is no real way to sterilize a commercial pump it still gets in the machine, and just because I know someone really well or am related doesnt mean my LO is protected. If I am going to fuss over so many other safety things, this is pretty big too. I would only borrow a closed system rental pump.

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